Thousands of interstate and overseas film fans have arrived on the Gold Coast for the annual 10 day Gold Coast Film Festival.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey welcomed actors, production teams and fans saying the event not only highlighted the region’s arts and cultural events calendar, but also gave visitors another reason to travel to the Famous for Fun Gold Coast.

“As both the local member for Currumbin and Minister for Tourism and Major Events, it gives me great pleasure to see so many guests travel to our backyard and enjoy all the Gold Coast has to offer,” Ms Stuckey said.

“Events like this deliver on our election commitment to grow tourism as one of the four pillars of the economy.

“Our state is abuzz with film production activity, cementing our reputation as a premier destination for local and international productions like Academy-Award winner Angelina Jolie’s ‘Unbroken’ – recently made using the world class facilities at Village Roadshow on the Gold Coast, as well as at other locations around our beautiful state.

“The Gold Coast will also take centre stage when filming begins later this year for the Hollywood Blockbuster ‘San Andreas’, starring action super star Dwayne Johnson.”

Arts Minister Ian Walker said the Queensland Government was proud to support the twelfth Gold Coast Film Festival through Tourism and Events Queensland funding of $30,000 as well as $55,000 from Screen Queensland

“We have invested a total of $220,000 in Screen Culture funding to 22 festivals and film-related activities in 2013-2014,” Mr Walker said.

“This is a big boost to the arts in Queensland, helping the Government achieve our Arts for all Queenslanders election promise to offer more screen activities to more people throughout the state.

“It is proof the Newman Government has been working to revitalise the film industry in Queensland by creating the best environment for film investment in the country.”